Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

Bend Me Like A Pretzel…And Then Feed Me Wine

Hi guys!

I LOVED hearing about your healthy adaptations! Keep ’em coming–you have a few more hours to go! I will pick the winner randomly at 10 pm eastern time tonight.

I hope you also enjoyed the “Red Wine For Newbies” post. I had a lot of fun writing it! I do love me some red wine….I can’t believe I actually used to HATE it! Paris changed my life πŸ™‚

This morning before lunch I did Dave Farmar’s latest 75 minute power vinyasa podcast. It was truly a wonderful experience. I find when I am anxious or stressed out, I NEED yoga. Not running, not weights….yoga. Only yoga has the capability to force me to quiet my mind and just concentrate at the posture at hand. Today I felt myself stretched from the inside out and afterwards I was like a bowl of jello! I think last week I sort of over-ran myself by running four times. This week I am paying for it with my right shin a little sore. I’m laying low and only running twice. I did a short run on Sunday and I’ll do a long run Friday morning. The rest of the time I’m going to focus on yoga to calm myself and prepare for the weekend.

After yoga was lunch!

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I made myself a little meze platter with some leftover Middle Eastern salad, hummus, whole wheat pita and shrimp! I mixed everything together and the combo was perfect.

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While I ate, I chatted on the phone with the Tampa Tribune! Looks like my little Murphy-Goode story will be in the Sunday paper! Eek!

Got a bunch done this afternoon and mid-afternoon took a snack break. Am I ever happy I did! I FINALLY got around to making Miss Gena’s raw banana soft serve, which has totally taken the blog world by storm and apparently I’m a little late in the game. Gena, you DID change my life–thank you!!! It was so easy too—all I did was combine 2 frozen bananas in the VitaMix and after only about 30 seconds, I had soft serve! I divided my “ice cream” into two so I could have some to enjoy later and then I topped my portion with raw almond butter. Now if this ain’t a sundae, I don’t know what is!

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Now THAT was good!!! πŸ™‚

Speaking of GOODE, I headed to my parent’s house to say hi around 4:30. They surprised me with a bottle of good luck Murphy-Goode Chardonnay-nay!!!

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This was my first time trying the Island Block Chardonnay and I’ll admit, I was hesitant just because I’m not a fan of extremely oaky California Chards. This totally blew me away though!


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Even though apparently it was aged in French oak barrels, this wine to me was anything BUT oaky! How weird! Rather, it had a more buttery/butterscotch taste to it with lots of vanilla. Very light and easy to drink….we all loved it! Especially my dad, who said it was “his new favorite wine” (they ALWAYS drink Mondavi but tonight decided to totally make the switch to the goode stuff). This wine was about $15 I believe, making it a great and and affordable option. Between the three of us we killed the bottle (I had one glass and my parents each had 1.5 glasses) and decided it was definitely our new “go-to” Chard, whether I get the job or not!

Ryan is working late and dinner was simple and Parisian inspired πŸ˜‰


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In France, its typical to get a salad with poached eggs on top. You break the eggs with your fork and the runny yolk permeates every leaf of lettuce, creating, so to speak, a party in your mouth. Unfortunately I goofed up and overcooked my eggs but it was still really good. πŸ˜‰ I made a homemade vinegarette dressing to go with my salad using a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, a splash of organic balsamic vinegar, a pinch of sea salt, a smear of spicy mustard and a teeny tiny bit of minced garlic. My Parisian salad also featured the ripest, juiciest plum tomato yet as well as a piece of Ezekiel toast with earth balance.


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If you haven’t tried poached eggs on salad yet, do so! Let me know what you think!

Dessert was the obvious…..

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Oh no she didn’t….oh YES she did! Lindt Fleur de Sel dark chocolate with banana soft serve = bliss. Enough said.


Time to hit the bath and my book! Eagerly awaiting The Time Traveler’s Wife but I vowed to safe it for the airplane!!!! Soon enough…..! Tomorrow morning I will announce the winner of the Eating Well Cookbook and also announce ANOTHER aaaaamazing giveaway!!! I have a ton of giveaways this week…is that okay with y’all?! πŸ˜‰

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  • Danielle C.
    July 14, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Mmmm I love me some runny egg yolk, I must try this on a salad!

  • Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum
    July 14, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Yay for giveaways!!! Thank you so much deary<3 That dark chocolate/ banana soft serve looks so amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that flavor of soft serve before.. but holy moly now I am craving some of that delicious goodness:)

  • Maria
    July 14, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Sorry to hear your shins are a bit sore this week! I hope it’ll be better soon πŸ™‚

    Yummy! The Middle Eastern leftovers still looks delicious, and so does the soft serve. Mmm love it with the almond butter!

    Runny yolks in a salad sounds really good. I’ll have to try that fabulous combo! Oooh, and that dessert is such a treat. Got lots of great eats going on today πŸ˜€

  • JB
    July 14, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    everything looks so good! especially the banana froyo. πŸ™‚
    i really want to read the time traveler’s wife! my friend read it and LOVED it. i just saw the preview for the movie, and now i want to read the book before it comes out! but that probably won’t happen, since i have novel ADD and am already currently reading (or not reading, for that matter) 3 books right now. let us know if you like it!

  • Rebeca
    July 14, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    mmm I had that soft serve too… with Dark Chocolate PB… blissful!

    that salad sounds delicious, too bad I just hard boiled the rest of my eggs πŸ™

  • Andee (Runtolive)
    July 14, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    That banana soft-serve looks amazing! I top mine with mini dark chocolate chips, heaven πŸ™‚

  • Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)
    July 14, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    I would so be using your new job quest to sample wines each night! My favorite meal would include some wine, a salad and chocolate…you hit all three!

  • Rachel
    July 14, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Thank you for the wine posts! I’m a bit of a newbie in the world of wine as far as actually learning WHY I like what I like, so it’s great to pick up information any way I can. And I just caught up with your posts after my own Sonoma County vacation – I wished you some good vibes while I was there!

  • Jen Papaya
    July 14, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    SO happy to see you eat egg yolks all runny! I adore egg’s with the yolks, and I far too often see too many people missing out by limiting themselves to just the boring whites. Don’t get me wrong..with enough veggies and cheese, an eggwhite scramble is delicious, but I’d still take some runny eggs anyday.

    and ps – wonderful book, you’ll enjoy it for sure!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
    July 14, 2009 at 8:16 pm

    That lunch looks so good– I love eggplant anything!

  • Jen Papaya
    July 14, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    OH – by the way..I noticed in your Eating Well cookbook give-away post that you didn’t mention that Eating Well is a magazine too! I work in advertising so I come across a LOT of magazines, but I just recently found this one a few months ago . I am in LOVE with it. It comes out 4 times a year – You should get them to set you up with a free subscription!!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
    July 14, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    Glad you enjoyed that Yoga Podcast. I’m always amazed my Dave Farmar’s sessions. He is SUCH a great instructor!

    LOVING that banana soft serve. I have GOT to try that out myself!

  • Gena (Choosing Raw)
    July 14, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    Oh yes you did! And oh boy does it look AMAZING! Thanks for the shout, my dear <3

  • Michele
    July 14, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Hi there. Your wine postings are super informative. Let me ask you a question though — I am TOTALLY a wine newbie. Every time I buy wine, I don’t like it. The only wines I’ve ever found that I liked were from the San Sebastian winery in St. Augustine, FL. I like their white, red, and rosa. Are you familiar with their wines? If so, can you recommend something that might be similar?

    Thanks,
    Michele

    • jenna
      July 14, 2009 at 8:36 pm

      Michele,

      I am not familiar but if you are totally new, I suggest a light Rose or a New Zealand Pinot Grigio. When I first started out I drank a ton of Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios from New Zealand because they are light, fruity and zesty with flavors of grapefruit, orange and lime. Very refreshing and easy to drink!

  • ShutupandRun
    July 14, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Man poached eggs on ANYTHING is yummy in my book. In Paris I always had them on pizza.

  • Lizzie
    July 14, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    Hey Jenna:

    How do you like your Vita-mix?? I just ordered one and am excited (and kind of nervous) to get it – have heard nothing but good things though. I had forgotten about the poached eggs on salad – yum!!

    • jenna
      July 14, 2009 at 8:45 pm

      Lizzie,

      I LOVE it!!!!!! I can do so many things with it and it seriously has the power of a car. lol its so easy to make soups, sauces, hummus..even ice cream! I can’t speak high enough about it!

  • Jenni
    July 14, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    Yummm, poached eggs! I am one of the few who likes them fairly firm…not runny. I like them with lots of pepper!

  • Sarah
    July 14, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    okay, now i am convinced. i gotta try this soft serve, stat.
    that salad looks great, too. i really like egg on salads!

  • Nicole
    July 14, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Your banana soft serve looks so much better than mine! I had a hard time blending it up.

  • meg
    July 14, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    YUM! I want some banana soft serve!

  • Tay
    July 14, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    Okay…I’ve decided. I am trying that banana soft serve TONIGHT!!!

  • Danielle
    July 14, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Your Parisian meal looks and sounds fantastic! As does the wine πŸ™‚ I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you girlie!

  • Still Life in South America
    July 14, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    Love the salad idea. I should learn how to poach eggs.

    Watch out with the Time Traveller’s Wife. If you start it on the airplane, you’ll be tempted to lock yourself in the hotel and finish it all week! πŸ™‚

  • Chloe
    July 14, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    I love dave farmar yoga! Have you ever worn your HRM during one of his Power sessions? I know its kind of anti-yoga to worry about calories burned but all the burning chaturangas tell me it should be alot.Oh and the banana soft serve looks awesome.

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    July 14, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Hey Jenna!
    Thanks for checking out my blog! Your lunch was all my favorite foods on one plate. Oh my goodness–my mouth is watering! Have a great night!

  • Jessica
    July 14, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    Holy Moly dear you sure know how to eat.
    That banana soft serve with the dark choc…. omg. sounds to die for!
    I thought those eggs were powdered donuts at first, lol!

  • Meghan@traveleatlove
    July 14, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    I love a runny poached egg on frisee with reduced balsamic. Yummers! Good to know about the chardonnay too, bleh, I really dislike oaky wine!

  • *Andrea*
    July 14, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    you look so pretty in yellow πŸ™‚ i am dying to try genas banana soft serve but i only have a blender, not a food processor πŸ™ does anyone know if it will work in a reg blender????

  • Annie D.
    July 14, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    I had banana soft serve tonight too!!!!!!!! Only I threw some fresh organic strawberries in mine… YUM!!!

  • leslie
    July 14, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    i feel the same way about yoga – thanks to you for inspiring me to start! that lunch is so my kind of meal. i love mediterranean flavors. enjoy your evening jenna!

  • Kim
    July 14, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    Oh, that is so my kind of salad! I am convinced that eggs mixed with any fresh vegetable is the perfect dinner πŸ™‚

    By the way, I know you’ve mentioned Paris in many blog posts, discussing the food and wine in particular (der, since this is a food blog πŸ˜‰ ), but I would love to read anything further you have to say on the topic. For example, why you chose France, your experiences with the language and people, cultural observations, any funny stories, etc… just a thought!

  • Kathy (Moving Beyond Perfection)
    July 14, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    ooo I used to do that with frozen bananas too! (Way before I started reading food blogs). It certainly is delish! Also you’re making me want some shrimp! I loveee shrimp! πŸ™‚

  • Whitney
    July 14, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    mmmmm banana soft serve. I had some with dinner too. πŸ™‚

    I have been wanting to read the Time Traveler’s Wife as well. Do tell us how it is!

  • mh
    July 14, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    andrea, I tried it in my blender and it worked but took a few mins! I also had to add alittle bit of almond milk to get things going but it turned out great!

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
    July 14, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    When you do read The Time Traveler’s Wife, you must tell us how it is!

  • Bec
    July 14, 2009 at 9:56 pm

    I will definitely have to try poached eggs on a salad soon!

  • dorothy
    July 14, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    all your eats look fab! i’ve tried poached eggs multiple times but i always end up breaking the yolk or overcooking it! ack so frustrating lol

    i’ve been following your blog for a while and you always seem to stick to eating four or five times a day. that’s the main thing i have problems with.. i always get snacky! do you have any good tips for keeping yourself satisfied/keeping your mind off food?

    i thnk you’re such a great role model for healthy eating! keep up the awesome blog πŸ™‚

  • Jenny
    July 14, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Hey Jenna!
    Congrats on the potential job opportunity!
    I was actually hoping you could answer a question for me. You see, i started practicing bikram and i have been at it for about a month . . . going 3-4 days a week. I usually go mon., weds., and friday. I have also been really good about my eating, but saturday is usually the day i go out to eat in a restaurant and indulge a bit. The past few weeks i would weigh myself on sunday and would see a three to four lb. increase in weight, but then i haul my butt to a yoga class and cut my calorie intake just a bit then monday thru friday i would go back to my normal healthy eating and my weight stayed in check. However, today i found that after 2 days of indulging (Thanks to some birthday celebrations) my weight only went up a pound and some change and i find it easier to get back to starter weight. Could this be because yoga is helping to improve my metabolism?

    • jenna
      July 14, 2009 at 10:12 pm

      Jenny,

      Unfortunately the 2-4 lb increase/decrease you are seeing is most likely due to water weight. I don’t recommend people weigh themselves daily because of this very reason! Depending on what you eat, how much you drink and you activity level, your weight usually flucuates a few pounds here and there. For instance, after my birthday dinner I got on the scale and noticed i was SEVEN pounds heavier. hahah! Two days later I was back at my normal weight. When you indulge what you are really doing is essentially bloating yourself because carbs help you retain water. During the week when you eat normal, you are at your usual weight because you aren’t taking in so much water.

      Hope that helps!

  • Menden (Skinny Menny)
    July 14, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    Oh my gosh, I’m seeing that banana soft serve all over the place, but that photo with the chocolates just pushes it over the edge! I must have some!!! Heavenly πŸ™‚

  • Jenny
    July 14, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    Thanks Jenna!

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness)
    July 14, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Since fro yo is only my favorite food in the world, I can’t wait to try Gena’s recipe! Thanks for sharing it! And giveaways are always so much fun. πŸ™‚

  • Cyndi
    July 14, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    Yoga is the way to go. Running is great but can be a distraction from life. Yoga connects you to life.

  • Kristin
    July 15, 2009 at 12:07 am

    Oh yummy, I really want to have salad with poached eggs on it! I eat huge salads all the time, with everything but the kitchenn sink on them, but this would be a new one for me! I’m also dying to try the banana soft serve, next time I get bananas I’ll have to get a couple extra to freeze.

  • MarathonVal
    July 15, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Seriously, just read TTTW already!!! Please believe me that it will change your life. I can’t even explain how much I love it, but it is fabulous and you will be so happy once you start it. Enjoy!!!

  • Laura (On the Threshold of Greatness)
    July 15, 2009 at 1:53 am

    I’ve really enjoyed reading your wine posts! It’s funny how everyone’s tastes are so different. I usually gravitate toward reds with heavy tannins, especially during the winter. πŸ™‚

    I’ll have to try poached eggs on a salad! I love sauteed spinach with poached eggs on top, so I imagine I’d love this just as much.

  • bibixs
    July 15, 2009 at 1:53 am

    I got to make that banana soft serve ASAP!
    hehe i really hate egg yolk, i don’t know why! i can only have scrambled eggs or hard-boiled eggs! anything with a runny yolk turns my stomach!

  • Leahbug
    July 15, 2009 at 2:22 am

    Oh I love the Time-Traveller’s Wife. But be prepared to be completely sucked in, and have your head spinning trying to work out the time travel stuff!

    BTW, I am loving your wine posts. It’s great that you’re really starting at the beginning, I’m a novice to wine, but really started to enjoy it when I was in Italy and France earlier this year!

  • Christie @ Quit Your Diet
    July 15, 2009 at 5:59 am

    I feel the same way about yoga, it really eases my anxiety and stress, too. Love my yoga!!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    July 15, 2009 at 6:06 am

    oh my gosh…your meals for the day look wonderful! I’m gonna have to copy you =)

    Glad you hear that wine is good…I definitely need to try it!

  • Jenna
    July 15, 2009 at 8:17 am

    your salad looks fabulous! I love all this wine talk! πŸ™‚

  • Cait (Cait's Plate)
    July 15, 2009 at 9:26 am

    I COMPLETELY agree about yoga!! And that dessert looks SO delicious!! I MUST find a Fleur de Sel bar! πŸ˜€

  • Sarah
    July 15, 2009 at 9:58 am

    You are totally going to get that job, I just know it πŸ˜‰

  • Brigette
    July 15, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Looks very yummy! Quick question, do you make your Green Machines in the Vita Mix or in a blender?

    • jenna
      July 15, 2009 at 11:05 am

      Brigette,

      I use a VitaMix for everything but Ryan makes his in a regular blender!

  • Sarah
    July 15, 2009 at 11:21 am

    After seeing you post the fleur de sel chocolate all the time I had to have some. It is AMAZING. Thanks!

  • Kelly
    July 15, 2009 at 11:40 am

    It took me forever to realize what was atop your salad. I love poached eggs on just about anything. The runny yolk is key for me. I agree to that I find myself craving yoga. Now that I’ve joined a proper gym I’ve been trying to do more cardio & dance classes but I find myself missing yoga. Tonight I’m doing vinyasa with a new favorite instructor. Cannot wait.

  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
    July 15, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    I’m a weirdo who doesn’t like bananas, but seeing that soft serve makes me really wish I did!

  • Rose-Anne
    July 15, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Jenna, I think you might be the queen of desserts. The banana soft serve has been around for a while (I believe there’s a similar recipe in one of the Moosewood cookbooks, which I love), but those two squares of dark chocolate made me wish I could stick my hands into my computer screen for your bowl. Yum.

  • Aisha
    July 15, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    I’ve never understood wine and all the many different types etc so seriously thank you for your little lessons, they are really useful.
    I also attempted the banana soft serve today, it has changed my life, I’m scared of normal ice cream due to being sick once.
    How do you poach your eggs? I’ve never seen such perfectly poached eggs and whenever I try to poach eggs it turns out a horrible mess and fails badly.

  • Red Wine
    July 18, 2009 at 1:23 am

    Thank you for the wine posts! I’m a bit of a newbie in the world of wine as far as actually learning WHY I like what I like, so it’s great to pick up information any way I can.

  • Jess
    July 18, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    I love runny eggs on salad although since my poaching attempts haven’t been great successes thus far I usually just though and over easy egg on top. Yummmmm.